Erichsen, Detlef 1857-1946

ERICHSEN, JACOBSEN

Posted By: Linda Mohning, volunteer (email)
Date: 5/27/2012 at 05:19:14

Detlef Erichsen, on of the well-known and prominent retired farmers of Remsen, was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, January 23, 1859, son of Peter and Maggie Erichsen, who also were born in Germany, where they spent all their lives, Peter Erichsen being engaged in farming. They were active members of the German Lutheran Church and took much interest in church work. They were the parents of five children, who are now living: Mary, who is the wife of Ernest Cook [Koch]; Peter, of Remsen; Hans, of Henry township; Helen of Washington, D. C. [Washington State] and Detlef, the subject of this sketch.

Detlef Erichsen received his schooling in the public schools of his native country and at the age of fourteen years, in 1873, came to the United States, and located in Benton county, Iowa, where he worked as a farm hand until 1881, in which year he came to Plymouth county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Remsen township, paying for the same nine dollars an acre. The land at that time was undeveloped and unimproved and he built a small house, sixteen by twenty-four feet, and a straw barn, and at once began the task of breaking the sod and planting a grove, soon having a part of his farm ready for cultivation. Mr. Erichsen was quite successful in his farming and in time he became the owner of six hundred and forty acres of excellent land, which he brought under cultivation and improved. During his active life as a farmer, he cultivated about one hundred fifty acres of corn, seventy-five acres of small grain and the balance of his farm he had in hay and pasture. He remained on the farm until 1911, when he retired from the activities of the farm life and moved to Remsen, where he has a fine home and is enjoying some of the fruits of his long years of work. Some years ago Mr. Erichsen visited his native land and while there spent many pleasant hours in viewing again the scenes of his childhood and visiting with relatives and friends. He noted many changes and his trip was a pleasant one, but he was glad to return to his adopted country, his family and his interests here.

While living on the farm, Detlef Erichsen devoted much time, in addition to his farm work, to the care of his live stock and annually fed some two hundred hogs and three or four carloads of cattle, becoming recognized as one of the leading stock men of the neighborhood. By careful management and close application to business he succeeded. When he came to the United States as a mere lad, he had but little money and he knew that it would be only by his own efforts, if he did succeed. He invested the proceeds of his labor in the land, which he was careful to develop to its fullest extent. He believed in intensive farming and the keeping of good stock, and gave the best of care to both his farm and his cattle and his hogs.

In 1886 Detlef Erichsen was united in marriage to Kate Jacobs [Jacobsen], a daughter of Peter Jacobs [Jacobsen], and to this union the following children have been born: August, Herman, Emma, Alvina and Mary [Marie]. August Erichsen married Ida Nitshke [Nitzschke] and has two children, Walter and a baby. Herman Erichsen is unmarried and at home. Emma Erichsen married Henry Mehlhop and has three children, George, Alma and Marie. Elvina [Alvina] Erichsen married Edwin Nitshke [Nitzschke] and has one child, August.

Peter Jacobs and wife were natives of Germany and lived in the same community in which Detlef Erichsen was reared. There, they lived their lives, Mr. Jacobs being engaged in farming. It was there that their daughter, Kate, received her education in the public schools and there she grew to womanhood and later came to the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Erichsen are members of the German Lutheran church and have long been active in the social and religious life of the community. They are hospitable people and take much pleasure in the entertainment of their neighbors and friends. Mr. Erichsen is an independent voter and has always taken an active interest in the civic affairs of the township.

Source: The History of Plymouth County, Vol. II, compiled by W. S. Freeman, 1917.